Hello, dear readers. This is my first review ever, so please be kind. Let's get started. In 2014, a group of five of us participated in the JICA training program in Osaka. We had such a wonderful time that we decided to return to Japan for an 18-day trip. We met during the program, and we've been friends ever since. We wanted to visit Tokyo this time because we had only been to Osaka during our training. We planned our trip meticulously, booking our Air Asia flights a year in advance during a promotion. The total cost, including checked baggage and meals, was 9,613 baht per person. Other expenses varied depending on individual shopping habits. If you're planning a similar trip, 20,000 baht should be sufficient.

This trip was a 5-day, 4-night trip (January 23-27, 2016). I will not talk about the Tokyo part, as there are already many reviews. Let's go to Kawagoe instead. On the first day, we arrived at 7:35 p.m. and didn't get to our accommodation until 10:30 p.m. because we got lost. Yes, we got lost looking for our accommodation. We are good at booking Airbnb, which is a Japanese apartment. We had all the information, including text, maps, and phone calls, but we still got lost. More importantly, the weather was very cold. The distance from the subway station to our accommodation was 1 kilometer, but it felt like 20 kilometers because it was so cold. My advice is that the weather is very important because you may not be able to stand the cold!

On the morning of the 24th, we agreed to leave early, but... there was another problem: our clothes weren't warm enough. The lining inside wasn't warm enough for Kawaguchiko. We had to take a bus to Shinjuku, so we waited for Uniqlo to open to buy more clothes because the weather forecast on the Japanese website said it would be -15 degrees on the night we went. We ended up taking the 10:30 am bus. We had fun shopping and bought things we didn't need lol. I can't remember the exact bus schedule because we went for convenience and comfort. To be honest, it was very comfortable. We didn't even finish our sightseeing. We arrived in Kawaguchiko in the afternoon. All along the way, as we started to leave Tokyo, the countryside started to appear white. When we started to see Mount Fuji, it was so beautiful.

*This picture was taken from the bus. We were very lucky, Fuji wasn't shy at all.

Upon arrival at Kawaguchiko Station, there is a visitor center where you can inform them of your accommodation. If your accommodation offers pick-up services, there will be a designated waiting area next to the visitor center. We stayed at K'S House Mount Fuji, a popular choice among Thai tourists. It's currently past noon, and the temperature is already -10 degrees Celsius. It's quite chilly getting off the bus.

Upon arriving at the accommodation, we rested and left our luggage before setting out on foot. We walked around the lake as we had forgotten to purchase R coupons for the retro bus from Kawaguchiko Station. Feeling too lazy to go back, we decided to walk. We walked until we reached the Kachi Kachi Ropeway, but the queue was 3 kilometers long. By the time we would have reached the front, it would have been closing time. The Japanese are very punctual. We came across a cheesecake shop, which was delicious. I forgot to take a picture. Just to let you know, the only downtown area around the lake is at bus stop number 10, where you can find minimarkets, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

* Bus stops display the bus stop numbers and estimated arrival times. These times may vary depending on weather conditions and traffic.

After walking until we were cold, we weren't tired because we were immersed in the scenery. It was truly charming and beautiful. As it started to get dark and we were very hungry, we walked back the way we came, planning to find something to eat along the way. But! But! All the shops were closed. It was Sunday. We decided that if there was anything, there were still luxury hotels along the way. No matter how much it cost, we wouldn't go hungry. Then we found heaven: a small, narrow Chinese restaurant, but it was warm and, most importantly, the food was incredibly delicious. We later found out that it was a legendary restaurant, the Red Dragon. We were so lucky.

The food was truly delicious, and I would love to go back for more. After a satisfying meal, I returned to my accommodation and received a second-floor lucky draw. The staff at the accommodation informed me not to forget to watch the fireworks by the lake that night. It was a winter season activity with fireworks only on Saturdays, Sundays, and long holidays. I was very proud to have seen Japanese fireworks. They were incredibly beautiful, with new technical patterns, Mickey Mouse designs, and many other characters.

The atmosphere was incredibly romantic. I miss my boyfriend. It was perfect for couples and families. It was so beautiful that I forgot how cold it was. I have to say that the temperature wasn't too bad when we were watching the fireworks - only -20 degrees Celsius. Hey! That's basically a freezer! But we made it through. I had a great night's sleep. The heater at the accommodation was very warm, so I slept soundly. In the morning, I took the food I had stocked up from the minimarket and warmed it up in the kitchen at the accommodation. After I had eaten, I carried my bag and went for a walk. I wanted to find a cool cafe to have a coffee, but none of them were open yet, so we decided to take some pictures of the beautiful scenery instead.

The sky was clear and the scenery was breathtaking. There were many people taking pictures, but I decided to skip those photos to avoid spoiling the beautiful atmosphere. After a while, we started to feel tired and decided to consult with someone who had mentioned that the viewpoint at Bus Stop 21 was one of the most beautiful in the world. We didn't hesitate to hail a bus and head there. The bus ride took about 30 minutes from Bus Stop 6, and it was quite warm inside the bus. When we arrived at our destination, we stepped off the bus and looked around, wondering where the magnificent view was. We walked towards the right from Wat Duang, thinking that we might have remembered the bus stop number incorrectly. But after just a few steps, we found what we were looking for: a cafe with warm coffee. At that moment, all we could think about was how happy we were. We walked in and ordered our drinks without paying much attention to anything else. Suddenly, we heard excited screams from the young women in our group. They were shouting, "Wow, it's so beautiful! It's incredibly beautiful!" They ran towards the view, and that's when it appeared before our eyes...

A Breathtaking View and a Fond Farewell

Here, at the coveted viewpoint, we find ourselves captivated by the stunning panorama. Though closed off during the winter months, this breathtaking vista can be enjoyed from the comfort of Lake Bake. The outdoor terrace offers a respite from the winter chill, allowing us to soak in the beauty of the moment. Time seems to stand still as we gaze upon the scene, words failing to capture the essence of its magnificence.

Our journey with Mount Fuji draws to a close as we board the bus, descending to Kawaguchiko Station. From there, we retrace our steps, returning to the bustling metropolis of Shinjuku via the familiar bus route.

At least once in your life, I highly recommend visiting Lake Kawaguchiko and the beautiful country of Japan, which is stunning in every season.